RoadTrip Complete!

So, I am back from my epic American road trip! I've been back for a while, honestly, but I have been hella busy with school and work and all those adult things that everyone hates. I am going to be doing individual posts for most of the stops, but as a short, bullet point overview:

• Dallas has a really great gym
• San Antonio Lone Star Boots are HUGE
• San Antonio  Natural Bridge caverns are amazing, and somewhat terrifying
• Galveston is pretty
• NASA is AMAZING. 
• Alabama HATES me
• New Orleans is exactly as everyone says
• DragonCon was so amazing, but poorly planned on  my part, but still awesome.

I'll try and get some posts up soon, but, to tide you over, here is part 1 of a video I took in Fossil Rim Nature Centre. Its sorta like Canada's African Lion Safari. Part 2 is on my YouTube channel, so feel free to check it out.

Also, there may be more Throwback posts, but I don't have any ready at the moment. I guess we shall see?

Travel Announcement!

I know,  I know,  I just got through all the Hawaii posts, and I'm announcing a new travel destination already? What can I say, I like to travel. This trip is a bit of a departure from the usual though-it's a roadtrip! My first one!

The whole reason we are going on a trip at all is to go to the illustrious Dragon*Con, which is an annual sci-fi/fantasy convention in Atlanta, Georgia. I've always wanted to go-most of my favourite authors attend regularly, and ONLY attend this convention. Now, I won't be able to bring, like, anything to get signed, what with the packing light and all, but getting to see and chat with them will be rad as fuck. Once Dragon*Con was settled, we decided to meet up with a Texan friend, as well as one from California, and thus spawned a roadtrip.

The original plans have expanded, a lot more than I'd anticipated, so there will be lots of bulk food buying, and doing things on the cheap (or, trying not to go into debt) but I think it will be hella fun, and I am so excited to go! Where are we going? Glad you asked! Here is a breakdown of where we are going!

Bus to Seattle, WA
Fly from Seattle to Dallas, TX
Dallas to San Antonio TX
San Antonia to Galveston TX
Galveston to Houston TX (MOTHERFUCKING NASA YO)
Houston to New Orleans, LA (the Big Easy might kill me)
New Orleans to Atlanta, GA and Dragon*Con
Atlanta to Dallas, I think.
Dallas to Seattle, then bus home.

Just two weeks, but so many destinations! Got any suggestions for places to eat, or things I HAVE to see? Totally want some input from some locals, or lovers! There will be a TONNE of pics and videos, so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and my Instagram if you haven't already! Links are ^

Hawaii beaches, sunsets and the pretty stuff

Hawaii is known as paradise on earth-along with Bali, Tahiti, and the other mythic South Pacific Islands. It is the only state in America that is in the tropical bands, and perennially warm. It has its own language, its own culture, and people that still exist today, and should be celebrated. Hawaii is a place to escape, nay, THE place to escape to. It offers a refuge from the dirt, pollution and bustle of normal city life, into a environment of beauty and colour. So, enjoy that beauty!

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki beach, Diamond Head Crater.

Waikiki

Magic Island

Magic Island

Magic Island

Magic Island, facing Waikiki and Diamond Head

Never ending sky

Waikiki

Honolulu aquarium

Given how sun burnt I was in Hawaii, I tried to do things in the shade, or indoors. Needless to say, there aren't a lot of options like that around. Not in Waikiki or Honolulu anyways. So, we went to the aquarium, in hopes to see some cool fish, and leave my poor white skin alone. 

Little baby sea turtles!

Octopus are my favourites.

Little stingray, all smily and stuff.

I like the vibrant colours.

You'll note that there isn't a lot of pictures. While my phone was having some issues, that wasn't the only reason. In truth, the Honolulu aquarium doesn't have a lot. Which I thought strange given the fact that the waters surrounding Hawaii are a marine reserve. I expected more education and more outreach, given how threatened aquatic ecosystems are. I mean, it was only $15 to get in, so it was okay, but, really, if you have the choice between the aquarium and almost anything else-go for the other thing.

Honoluzoo

First, I want you guys to know that it is not, in fact, called the Honoluzoo. It is the Honolulu Zoo. I just feel that they really wasted an opportunity for a solid pun here, and am a little disappointed.

That said, I found the zoo to be a little disappointing in general. Now, don't get me wrong-for the size of the island the zoo is on, I think they did the best they could, and the animals look fairly well cared for. But, several of the exhibits, which I really wanted to see were closed, including the hippos. There was also no one around for guidance, or questions, or to keep screaming children from pissing off the gorillas while their parents laughed. That shit makes me SO angry!

The zoo is right near Waikiki beach, and the entrance fee is pretty reasonable. There are better zoos in the world, yes, but this one tends to have less crowds, and is  a great way to spend an hour or two.

They did have some great hot weather species though! Like, the komodo dragon!

Komodo are really cool. Not dinosaurs, like people believe, but still cool.

The black Rhino are critically endangered killed primarily for their horn, which, I PROMISE will not make your dick bigger, so please stop trying. These two are, apparently, a breeding pair, which I hope is true. There are so few of these amazing animals left, and their cousins, the white rhino, went extinct several years ago.

I have no idea what kind of bird this is, but he was so cute! There was a aviary where we could see some of the birds-the actual closest things we have to dinosaurs, up close. The BIG birds, like the cultures, were still caged for everyone's safety, I'm sure.

Birds!

This was the pissed off gorilla I mentioned earlier. While this particular primate species isn't that closely related to us, they are still part of our genetic tree. 

I don't remember what this guy was, but he was huge! Maybe 2m standing.

Who doesn't love the little fennic fox? These guys are adorable!

There was an entire Savannah area, which had these giraffe, as well as antelope and zebras just roaming around. I do worry it may have been too close to the lions, but they didn't seem worried.

These guys came all around the area to see all the people waiting for them! It was pretty cool. I got  a video, you can see it on my YouTube!

And some giant tortoise. You may not be able to see it, but we caught these guys at feeding time, so they were stuffing their faces with all sorts of fresh veggies. There were 4 of them, but I don't know if they are being bred or not.

Diamond Head Hawaii

When you go to Hawaii, you have to expect to spend a lot of time outdoors. There isn't much to do inside-not even shop, as many of the shops are outside. So, once that realization that outdoors is most of the time, you'll look to see what there is to do, and, one of the most popular-and fun-things to do is hike up Diamond head Crater. The crater is an almost perfect circle, and formed as part of the processes that make volcanic hot spots-of which Hawaii is one.

We walked from our hotel in Waikiki, but there are several buses that go to the base of the crater, which will cut the walk by an hour, if you want to do that. The hike took about an hour, not including the walk from Waikiki, but a lot of that was waiting for people as some of the walkways are quite narrow and do require some patience and care. It is not in the least dangerous, unless you are supremely drunk. There is a small fee to get in, but its only $2.00USD, which is hella cheap, considering the upkeep required. There is also a nice little shaved ice truck, and recommend the lime flavour!

I HIGHLY suggest going bright and early, before too many people get there and either a. get in your way or b. ruin your awesome pictures!

This is the base of the mountain and, if you're driving, the way to the parking lot.

It seems like a state park thing to have rules, doesn't it?

This is the entrance into the crater, where you will walk along the road (its safe!) to go into the crater proper.

Our little bear had to get a photo-yes, he came with us!

Part way up the mountain!

Looking back into the crater-looks like a grassland desert, right?

This is the view from the top, looking towards Waikiki, with Honolulu proper in the background. 

The beach and the ocean! It was so pretty, the pictures don't do it justice! 

Seriously guys, if you do go, Diamond head is a for sure thing to add to your to do list in Hawaii! It can be done by everyone-unless you are in crutches or a wheelchair. But, old, young, out of shape-it might take a little longer, but it is totally doable!

Honolulu Hawaii

I told you guys that I was in Honolulu for my secret trip-and here we are! I was there for 8 days, in, I think, the best hotel we could have got. We got an upgrade to a full 1 bedroom apartment, because we were staying so long, and it worked out really well. This is the view:

Nice, right? It was close to everything-the beach, jogging path great food, and Ala Moana, which is the giant outdoor shopping mall. We had our own full kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, and the maids came in to clean our dishes-which is perfect since it was vacation time. 

This was our first day at the beach-but not our last by far! See how pale we still are?

There are statues all over Honolulu and Waikiki that celebrate some of the prominent Hawaiians. While Hawaii is part of America, it is important to remember that Hawaii has its own culture outside of America. 

I didn't get to surf at all, which may or may not be a good thing. Bad, because its surfing, and I've never done it, but good because I didn't kill myself. Doesn't mean I can't appreciate how awesome these boards are though!

These little guys were waffles, filled with the most delightful creams! They were from a small Japanese bakery in Ala Moana. 10/10 recommend 

These guys are also from a Japanese bakery in Ala Moana-but a different bakery! Also hella tasty-and so cute!

I posted the video of this on my YouTube channel. It was a performance of traditional Hawaiian luau dancing and singing. It was really well done, and entertaining. This show is 3 days a week, and totally free on Waikiki beach. 

Aloha!

I have touched down in Honolulu, Hawaii, which, for those interested, was the secret mystery vacation I mentioned both on Twitter and my last YouTube video. If you didn't see it, there are links all over the place!

So, my next few blogs will be about my time here in this beautiful island in the Pacific Ocean. Look forward to it!

I already went for a jog this morning, and it is so so nice here.

xox

Emerald city comic con 2015

You know, this is one of the comic cons I go to the most, I think. This has to be, what, my 4th? maybe? Something like that. I go so often, and I am always impressed at Emerald City. The sheer amount of panels, the guests, the gaming, the availability of STUFF, the size, and the accommodation of people-be it kids, new families, gender-fluid bathrooms, quite zones and what not are all spectacular, and probably the most inclusive of all cons. Seriously, they had gender free washroom facilities-how awesome is that?

We only went one day, due to finances and time constraints from school, which sucked, but it was still a great time. We got there when it opened, and stayed for a full 12 hours, staying to watch the AMAZING cosplay contest. I really need to u my cosplay game, by the way. I have two in the works right now, and I want to do one for Hannah from Rat Queens, which, by the way, if you haven't read, you NEED to.

My outfit for the show, and showing off my swanky badge

The opening to Anthony Daniels panel, which was introduced by Grant Imahara. The video was exactly what you would expect-a compilation of C3PO in all the Star Wars films currently released. 

Anthony Daniels himself-he is such a sassy man!

Display, not cosplay.

We even had a visit from R2D2!

I NEED that Yoda picture.

And this one. Actually, I just really need a lot of art.

The R series builders were in the house, which was awesome to see.

This Thrall cosplay was AMAZING and was this guys first BIG cosplay project. He made the entire thing, from the muscle suit, to the mask, EVERYTHING. He won both his category, and the overall.

Disneyworld- downtown Disney!

Downtown Disney is basically a giant shopping and food area that is free admission.  I'm pretty sure you can JUST go to downtown if you really want. I'd highly recommend going to at least one of the parks though. They are super fun!
But i digress.
Downtown Disney. Lots of shopping and food, but there is also a lot of entertainment options. There is a movie theater, as well as hybrid restaurant/entertainment shops that have some super long hours for visitors. Downtown Disney also has all of the characteristics of the parks, such as statues, ice cream stands, Mickey shaped everything, as well as all the Disney merch and photo ops you could possibly ask for. Actually, downtown Disney might have a TOUCH more shopping options, as they cater to all the parks features, so you can get a lot of the other park merchandise that may not be in the park you went to (unless you went to them all, in which case you are a baller, and need to take me next time).

Holidays at Disney are AWESOME

Frozen is big all year long, but its even MORE pronounced at Christmas!

Typical picture of men waiting while the ladies shop? 

Yea, okay, so how awesome is this dragon made of Lego? Like, are you kidding me here?

I think I read somewhere that this is actually functional?

Snowflakes in the land of sun!

Seriously, ANY Christmas decoration you could possibly ask for Disney style.